Turntable type work feeding method of feeding multiple-contact electric components for contact welding thereof and apparatus for performing such method

ABSTRACT

In fabrication of relatively small electric components and particularly of multiple-contact electric components having three or more electric contacts arranged in a straight line, it is now possible to perform contact welding operation efficiently by a turntable type work feeding system, in which the step of presenting a work to the contact welding unit by turntable means and the step of rectilinearly moving the work relative to the contact welding unit are repeated. The work feeding turntable structure is supported on a base plate and laterally movable by thrust means operably connected therewith.

United States Patent Okano [54] TURNTABLE TYPE WORK FEEDING METHOD OFFEEDING MULTIPLE- CONTACT ELECTRIC COMPONENTS FOR CONTACT WELDINGTHEREOF AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING SUCH METHOD [72] Inventor:

Shimouma, Segatgayau, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed; Aug. 11, 1971 [2l] Appl.No.: 170,822

[3O]v Foreign Application Priority Data Aug.24, 1970 Japan ..45/73493[52] user. ..219/s0,219/s7,219/1s9 [51] Int. Cl. ..B23k 11/10 [58] Fieldof Search ..2l9/80, 87, 79, 91,117, 158,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,430,028 2/1969 Gofouthetal ..'.....219/i 37 Teruo Okano, 40-28-40% 2-chome,

[ 51 Aug. 1,1972

.3,239,644 3/1966 Wyborgetal...' ..2 l9/80 Primary Etaminer-JlVTrdhe IAssistant Examiner-B. A. Reynolds Att0rney-Albertl-l. Oldham et al.

57 v ABSTRACT In fabrication of relatively small electric components andparticularly of multiple-contact electric components having three ormore electric contacts arranged in a straight line, it is now possibleto perform contact welding operation efficiently by a turntable typework feeding system, in which the step of presenting a 'work to thecontact welding unit by turntable means and the step of rectilinearlymoving the work relative tothe contact welding unit are repeated. Thework feeding turntable structure is supported on a base plate andlaterally movable by thrust means. operably connected therewith.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures mmrimus um 3.681.561

SHEET 3 BF 2 INVENTOR. JP/Mud (Wwmo This invention relates to a methodof and apparatus for efficiently fabricating small electric componentshaving electric contacts and more particularly those having each threeor more contacts arranged in a straight line along one end portion ofthe component.

As'is well known, the turntable type work feeding is the mostadvantageous as an efficient procedure for presenting works and moreaccurately their welding points successively to the contact welding unitset in a fixed position. In the past, however, such feeding method couldbe utilized only in cases where a single contact or at most two contactsare to be welded to each of works, which are circumferentially arrangedon the turntable. The reason for this is that the works on the turntableand particularly their contact carrying portions were naturally causedto move arcuately relative to the contact welding unit and thus it wasimpossible to present all of three or more straightly arranged weldingpoints on each work accurately to the contact welding unit.

The present invention is intended to overcome the difficulty describedabove and has for itsobject the provision of a novel turntable type workfeeding method which enables efficient fabrication of electriccomponents having a multitude of contacts arranged in a straight linewhile taking full advantage of the inherent character of the turntablesystem which allows convenient supply and removal of works.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forcarrying out the method described above.

To attain these objects, the present invention provides means formovinga work rectilinearly relative to the contact welding unit afterthe work has been set into a predetermined position relative to thecontact welding unit by rotation of the turntable. With the aid of suchmeans a multitude of contacts can be welded to the work successively atrespective straightly arranged points thereon.

To enable the above welding operation to be performed in a continuousmanner, the present invention further provides means for restoring thework feeding apparatus to its initial position after each work has beenmoved rectilinearly over a predetermined total distance. With the aid ofthis means, works can be fed into welding position one after another ina consecutive manner.

With the intention of realizing such restoring means, the presentinvention has for its further object the provision of a combination of aturntable supported on a slide block laterally movably mounted on a baseplate, means for rotating said turntable each time through apredetermined angle, and slide block thrusting means secured to saidbase plate for laterally moving said slide block along track meansprovided on said base plate.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a guide plate andactuating means therefor for allowing said slide block to move laterallystepwise by predetermined equal distances.

Another object of the invention is to provide indexing means forpresenting the works mounted on the turntable successively to thecontact welding unit at all times in a predetermined relation therewith.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide restoring means forenabling automatic repetition of the angular rotation of said turntableand the lateral movement of said slide block.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate apreferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly cutaway plan view of the embodiment, substantiallytaken along the line l-I in FIG. 2, and showing the turntable drive,slide block thrusting means and associated parts of the embodiment, withthe turntable and index plate indicated by the phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side elevation, substantially takenalong the line lI-II in FIG. 1, showing the turntable drive, slide blockand associated parts;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the bottom portion of the apparatus,viewed from the line IIIIII in FIG. 1, with the indexing means shownpartly in section; and

FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view showing the multiple-contact weldingprocess of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral1 indicates a work feeding turntable; and 2 indicates an index plateconnected with the turntable l by pin means 3 and formed with aplurality of guide apertures 18 at regular intervals corresponding tothe spacing of work fixing jigs J (see FIG. 4), which are arranged atregular intervals along the periphery of the turntable 1. The turntableand index plate is integrally secured to a rotary head 6 mounted on arotative shaft 4 by way of a one-way clutch 5.

The rotary head 6 is supported, together with the shaft 4, in a slideblock 20 mounted on a base plate 21. The shaft 4 is rotatably supportedat the bottom by a bearing fitted in the slide block 20 and a lever arm7 is fixed to the shaft 4 intermediate its ends and extends exteriorlythrough a side opening formed in the slide block 20. At its extremitythe lever arm is connected with a piston rod 9 slidably fitted in an aircylinder 8, which is secured to the side of slide block 20. The leverarm 7 is formed on its hub portion with a recess into which a pin 10 isnormally biased by spring means. A microswitch 11 is disposed oppositeto the other end of the pin 10.

Secured to one side of the slide block 20 are a solenoid 12 (FIG. 3) andan index device including a cam plate 13 operably connected with theplunger of said solenoid and a locating pin 17, which is normally urgedupwardly by a compression spring 16 to fit in any aligned one of theguide apertures 18 formed in the index plate 2 to maintain the angularposition of the turntable. The locating pin 17 has a pair of lateralprojections 15 which are accommodated in respective side openings formedin the cam plate 13. With this arrangement, when the solenoid 12 isoperated to move the cam plate to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, thelocating pin 17 is lowered and held in its bottom position under theaction of the inclined edges 14 of the respective side openings inthe-cam plate to allow rotation of the index plate and turntable. Upondeenergization of solenoid 12, the cam plate is restored to its normalposition under the bias of a tension spring associated therewith, thusreleasing the constraining action of the cam plate upon the locating pin17 to allow the latter to be pressed against the index plate under thebias of compression spring 16.

Upon completion of the welding operation upon one of the works set onthe turntable, the contact welding unit produces an electric pulsesignal effective to cause the solenoid to operate so that the locatingpin 17 previously fitted in one of the guide apertures 18 formed in theindex plate is withdrawn therefrom and at the same time the air cylinder8 is actuated to turn the lever arm 7 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1. Theturning movement of the lever arm 7 and hence of the rotative shaft 4causes the pin 10 to be forced radially outward to close the microswitch11 and the latter produces an electric pulse for de-energization ofsolenoid 12 so that the locating pin 17 is pressed against the undersideof the index plate under the bias of compression spring 16, as describedhereinbefore, and subsequently is plunged under the same spring biasinto the next following guide aperture as soon as the latter is broughtinto alignment with the locating pin 17, when the air cylinder 8 isreversed in direction of action so that the rotation of the turntable isterminated with the next work positioned in the contact welding station.On this occasion, the lever arm 7 is turned together with the rotativeshaft 4 in the opposite direction under the action of air cylinder 8independently of the turntable and index plate owing to the provision ofthe one-way clutch 5 and thus restores its initial position shown inFIG. 1.

The arrangement and construction described above is itself known in theart of a turntable work feed system. In the illustrated embodiment,however, the slide block 20, which supports the work feeding turntablestructure including turntable 1 and means for rotating and indexing thesame, is laterally movably mounted on the base plate by track means, forexample, in the form of dovetail groove 22 formed in the base plate 21.As shown, the slide block 20 has an extended portion 24 with which aslide block thrusting unit, in this example taking the form of an aircylinder 23 secured to the base plate 21, is operably connected to servethe purpose of rectilinearly moving the slide block along the track 22.With this arrangement, the work feeding turntable structure, supportedby the slide block 20, can be laterally moved while maintaining theangular position of the turntable by means of locating pin 17.

Referring to FIG. 4, reference character J indicates a jig employed tohold a work in place along the periphery of turntable l. The jig J andother identical jigs J are arranged on the turntable at regularintervals along the periphery thereof. As will readily be understood,the spacing of the jigs J, J corresponds to that of guide apertures 18formed in the index plate 2.

Reference character W indicates a work to be welded with a multitude ofcontacts (in this example three contacts N N and N and as shown it isfixed in place on the turntable by means of the jig J in a manner sothat the contact welding points n n and n;, on the work W lie on astraight line at right angles to the line of diameter CC of theturntable extending through the jig J. Each turning or indexing movementof the turntable is terminated by the indexing means when the line ofdiameter CC extending through the jig J,

which supports a work to be welded with contacts, has

reached a position at right angles to the track 22, and

the turntable is fixed in such position.

Reference numeral 40 indicates a contact welding unit having a workingpoint 41. The welding unit 40 is so arranged that its working point 41is placed opposite the foremost one of the contact welding points on thework W when the slide block is in its initial position as assumed beforeany lateral movement is imparted thereto and when the turntable 1 hascome to rest at the angular relation described above. In cases where theslide block is moved successively to the right from the startingposition CC, as in the embodiment shown, first the rightmost one n, ofthe contact welding points is presented to the working point 41 of thewelding unit, as shown. Again in this embodiment, the work W havingthree welding points n n and n is firmly held in a position such thatthe intermediate welding point n lies on the line of diameter CC and theworking point 41 of the contact welding unit is set in a position spacedrightward from the line CC by a distance equal to the spacing b betweenthe welding points.

After completion of the welding work on the rightmost point m, the slideblock thrusting unit 23 is intermittently operated to move the slideblock rightward along the track 22 each time by a distance equal to thespacing b. In this manner, work W is successively moved rectilinearly tothe right by distances each equal to the spacing b, together with theturntable and the associated jig, as indicated by W and W in FIG. 4. Itwill be readily understood that the welding unit operates in timedrelation with the work movement to weld three identical contacts N N andN to the work W at the regular intervals of b.

To effect such stepwise lateral movement of the slide block, theapparatusshown is provided with a fixed pitch lateral feed mechanismdescribed below.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 indicates a stepplate secured to the slide block 20 and extending therefrom in thedirection in which the slide block is to be laterally moved. The stepplate has a stepped end normally pressed against the adjacent end of aguide plate 31 under the action of air cylinder 23. The guide plate 31is formed at the end with a series of steps 33 complemental to thoseformed on the adjacent end of the step plate and is in meshing orinterlocking engagement therewith.

Reference numeral 32 generally indicates guide plate actuating means forexample, including an air cylinder 35 and an appropriate drivemechanism, for example, in the form of a rack and pinion mechanism (notshown) and operable to drive the guide plate 31 in the directionindicated by the arrow a. The movement of the guide plate in thisdirection allows the step plate 30 to move in the direction of the arrowb to follow the guide plate 31. This means that the slide block 20 canbe laterally moved as desired by a distance definitely proportional tothat of movement of the guide plate 31.

Reference numeral 36 indicates a microswitch forming part of therestoring means of the apparatus and adjustable in the direction oflateral movement of the slide block 20. When the total amount of lateralmovement' of the step plate 30 reaches a predetermined value, itscontacting end acts upon the microswitch 36 to close it so that thepulse produced by the contact welding unit upon completion of itswelding operation upon each piece of work is effective to reverse thedirection of action of the air cylinder 23 to retract the slide blocktogether with the step plate 30 secured thereto. Following theretracting or leftward movement of the step plate 30, the guide plate 31restores its initial position under the action of an appropriate biasingspring or air cylinder 35. When the slide block 20 is restored to itsnormal position, another microswitch 27 forming part of the restoringmeans of the work feeding apparatus is operated by an arm 26 extendingfrom the adjacent side of slide block 20 so that the direction of actionof the air cylinder 23 is again reversed to press the step plate 30against the guide plate and the slide block 20 is maintained in itsnormal position until the guide plate actuating means 32 is againoperated.

Before starting the apparatus for welding operation, the slide block 20is in its normal position shown in FIG. 1 and the foremost one n of thecontact welding points on the next work W to be welded with contacts isaligned with the working point 41 of the welding unit as shown in FIG.4. In this condition, the guide plate actuating means 32 is adjusted soas to act in operation to drive the guide plate in the direction of a(FIG. 1) each time by a distance which corresponds to a number of timesthe length of each of the steps 33 and allows the step plate to effect alateral movement corresponding in amount to the spacing b between thewelding points n n and n of the work W. Also, microswitch 36 is adjustedrelative to the contacting end of the step plate 30 so as to give aspacing of 2b therebetween, as indicated in FIG. 1. Subsequently, afterthe welding operation has been started, the guide plate actuating means'32 is operated, under control of the pulse produced by the welding uniteach time when a single welding work has been completed, to allow theslide block 20 to move laterally a distance of b for another weldingwork on point n When the rearmost welding point n reaches the workingpoint 41 of the welding unit after the completion of the second weldingaction, the microswitch 36 is closed and, under control of the pulseproduced at the end of the third welding action, the turntable isstarted to rotate to carry the work finished to the point of workremoval while at the same time the direction of action of the aircylinder 23 is reversed as described before to restore the slide blockand the fixed pitch lateral feed mechanism to their initial position. Onthe other hand, another work previ' ously fixed on the next followingjig is presented to the contact welding unit with the aid of theindexing means in the manner described hereinbefore.

lnthe embodiment shown and described herein, it will be readilyrecognized that the position of the contact welding unit relative to theaxis of the turntable shaft can be freely selected according to thelocation of the work fixing jigs on the turntable and that thecontacting end faces of the step and guide plates of the fixed pitchlateral feed mechanism may be made inclined at suitable angles ifdesired.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A turntable type work feeding apparatus for feeding multiple-contactelectric components for contact welding thereof, comprising a laterallymovable turntable for presenting to a contact welding unit the foremostone of contact welding points on a work mounted on said turntable byrotating movement thereof, means for presenting said contact weldingpoints sequentially to said contact welding unit by moving saidturntable laterally forwardly relative to said contact welding unitwhile maintaining the angular position of said turntable, and means formoving said turntable laterally in an opposite direction to restore itsinitial position upon completion of welding of all con' tact weldingpoints on said work.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a work feedingturntable structure comprising said turntable, a slide block supportingsaid work feeding turntable structure, a base plate supporting saidslide block by a track means arranged upward of said slide block forallowing its lateral displacement in relation to said contact weldingunit, and driving means connected to said slide block for driving thelatter.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein means for rotating thesaid turntable of said work feeding turntable structure is mounted onsaid slide block.

4. An apparatus as .claimed in claim 2, in which said turntablestructure is provided with indexing means comprising an index plateconnected with said turntable for rotation therewith and formed with aplurality of equally spaced guide apertures, and a locating pin normallybiased toward said index plate by spring means for fitting engagementwith said guide apertures and constrainable in the direction ofwithdrawal there-from under control of a signal produced by said contactwelding unit each time when the latter has completed its contact weldingoperation with a single work, said locating pin being releasable withthe restarting of rotation of said turntable.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising restoringmeans including an electric switch adapted to be closed when said slideblock has been moved laterally by a predetermined total distance andoperable to restore said slide block to its initial position undercontrol of a signal produced subsequently when the final contact weldingwork has been completed while on the other hand rotating the turntablethrough a predetermined angle.

6. A turntable type work feeding apparatus for feeding multiple-contactelectric components for contact welding thereof, comprising a laterallymovable turntable for presenting to a contact welding unit the foremostone of contact welding points on a work mounted on said turntable byrotating movement thereof, means for presenting said contact weldingpoints sequentially to said contact welding unit by moving saidturntable laterally forwardly relative to said contact welding unitwhile maintaining the angular position of said turntable, and means formoving said turntable laterally in an opposite direction to restore itsinitial position while on the other hand rotating said turntable througha predetermined angle for removal therefrom of the finished work, uponcompletion of welding of all contact welding points on said work.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 561Dated I August 1,' 1972 Inventor Q rLyll-()ka-rlov Itftskertifivd thaterror appears in the above-identified patent .and that aid'LetterSPatent are hereby corrected as shown below;

40-28-404, Z-chome, Shinwuma, Segatgaya-ku, Tokyo, lap an, insert [73].Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Fuji Kbgyosho Yokohama; Japan I Signed andsealed this 2nd day of January 1973.

SEAL Attest:

I'EY'DWARD M.FLE'TCHER',JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK .Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents On thetitle page of the above patent, below'[72] Inventor: Teruo Okano 0 M INTI-1050 10-69! USCOMM-DC cove-"69 a us envzwnuun "mum; mun: as" 0 66-314 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ICERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,681,561 Dated August1,'197 2.

Patent No.

I Inventor g TC IUO Itjisizertifivd that error appears in theabove-identified patnt and that said Letters Patent are h'erebycorrected as shown below,

On. the title page of the above pateht, belo y v [72] lnve'ntrz TeruoOka n'o 40-28-404, Z-chom, Shimouma, Segatgaya ku, Toltyo, QIaIp an;insel t v [73]v Assignge; Kabush i kI Kai s h a Fhji Kbgyqsht I IYokohama, Japan Signed and sealed this 2nd; daypf Jahuary 1973.

:(SEAL) .Attestz' IIEDWARD M FLETCHER, JR .Attesting Officer ROBERTGOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents 0 M PEI-1050 lO-E-SI USCOMMKDC GUbCS-F UQ a n s onvumuuv "mum; OIIICE I!" c ".5414

1. A turntable type work feeding apparatus for feeding multiplecontact electric components for contact welding thereof, comprising a laterally movable turntable for presenting to a contact welding unit the foremost one of contact welding points on a work mounted on said turntable by rotating movement thereof, means for presenting said contact welding points sequentially to said contact welding unit by moving said turntable laterally forwardly relative to said contact welding unit while maintaining the angular position of said turntable, and means for moving said turntable laterally in an opposite direction to restore its initial position upon completion of welding of all contact welding points on said work.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a work feeding turntable structure comprising said turntable, a slide block supporting said work feeding turntable structure, a base plate supporting said slide block by a track means arranged upward of said slide block for allowing its lateral displacement in relation to said contact welding unit, and driving means connected to said slide block for driving the latter.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein means for rotating the said turntable of said work feeding turntable structure is mounted on said slide block.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which said turntable structure is provided with indexing means comprising an index plate connected with said turntable for rotation therewith and formed with a plurality of equally spaced guide apertures, and a locating pin normally biased toward said index plate by spring means for fitting engagement with said guide apertureS and constrainable in the direction of withdrawal there-from under control of a signal produced by said contact welding unit each time when the latter has completed its contact welding operation with a single work, said locating pin being releasable with the restarting of rotation of said turntable.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising restoring means including an electric switch adapted to be closed when said slide block has been moved laterally by a predetermined total distance and operable to restore said slide block to its initial position under control of a signal produced subsequently when the final contact welding work has been completed while on the other hand rotating the turntable through a predetermined angle.
 6. A turntable type work feeding apparatus for feeding multiple-contact electric components for contact welding thereof, comprising a laterally movable turntable for presenting to a contact welding unit the foremost one of contact welding points on a work mounted on said turntable by rotating movement thereof, means for presenting said contact welding points sequentially to said contact welding unit by moving said turntable laterally forwardly relative to said contact welding unit while maintaining the angular position of said turntable, and means for moving said turntable laterally in an opposite direction to restore its initial position while on the other hand rotating said turntable through a predetermined angle for removal therefrom of the finished work, upon completion of welding of all contact welding points on said work. 